Any parent, married or unmarried, is obligated to contribute to the continued support of their children. If you are going through a divorce, the quality of your life and your child’s life will be strongly influenced by the court’s order regarding child support. Child support is financial support provided by the noncustodial parent until the child is 21. This includes:
- Cash payments (based on the parent’s income and the needs of the child)
- Health insurance for the child (medical support)
- Payments for child care, and
- Payments for reasonable health care costs that are not covered by health insurance.
The “Child Support Standards Act” governs child support in the State of New York. This statute sets forth specific guidelines for how much child support the non-custodial parent is obligated to pay. The court first determines the noncustodial parent’s gross income, and then makes certain deductions (including Medicare, Social Security, and New York City or Yonkers tax) to establish the non-custodial parent’s adjusted gross income. The court then multiplies the adjusted gross income by the standard guideline percentage for the number of children. These percentages are as follows:
1 child = 17%
2 children = 25%
3 children = 29%
4 children = 31%
5+ children = no less than 35%
Free consultation with a Long Island child support lawyer. Contact us today.
Child support is not an option, and cannot be withheld because of a dispute over visitation or other matters. If you are not receiving the child support you are entitled to, we will help you petition the court to have the payments taken directly out of the paying parent’s paycheck through the process of garnishing wages. If you have been making child support payments, but are not being given access to your child, our attorneys will help you assert your parental rights. To speak with a child support lawyer, contact the attorneys at the Law Offices of Jacoby & Jacoby at any of our four convenient Long Island locations or online.
Medford, NY: 631-289-4600
Miller Place, NY: 631-821-8800
Shirley, NY: 631-281-2234
Nassau County, NY: 888-452-2629
